Andy Lyons - Getty Images
I wonder what John Calipari thinks of the Wildcats' reaction to adversity?
One of the things that teams eventually learn at Kentucky since Calipari has been there is that the day you leave your A-game laying around on the locker room floor is the day that SEC opponents rise up and smite you like the Wrath of God. That's what happened to Kentucky tonight, but instead of regressing to the wet-behind-the-ears team of early January that might have dropped this game, they got up, dusted themselves off, and decided to play some basketball in the second half.
A great effort by the Mississippi St. Bulldogs tonight. They went nuts in the first half, and showed Kentucky just how good they can be when they are playing well. But after the half, the Dawgs came out a little cocky, and even though they fought off a couple of Kentucky charges, you could just feel the momentum begin to swing when the Wildcats just refused to go quietly into that good StarkVegas night. Despite an amazing first half from Dee Bost, Michael Kidd-Gilcrhist significantly hampered his effectiveness in the second, and the Wildcats pulled away for a nine point victory.
This game really was a tale of two halves. The Wildcats noticeably failed to compete in the first half, looking like they were just in Starkville for a little scrimmage for funsies and didn't much care who won. When MSU smacked them in the mouth, then spun them around and planted a foot firmly in their keister, Kentucky started barking at the officials, whining at each other, and generally acted like a bunch of sad sacks with the collective spine of a jellyfish. Heading into the half, the Wildcats were extremely fortunate not to be down 18 or 20.
They say the most meaningless score in college basketball is the halftime score. That truism was proven yet again, in spades.
The second half saw the Wildcats that Kentucky fans expected to see finally show up, and that team would never be daunted by a mere six-basket deficit. True to form, UK didn't explode on MSU like fired cannon shell, but rather began working on the big lead like winning teams always do -- they chopped away at it, one chip at a time, one shot at a time, one rebound at a time. If they could be compared to a jellyfish in the first half, they came out in the second like a Portuguese Man-o-War.
After the under 12 timeout, Kentucky was back in the basketball game. From then on, it was hand-to-hand combat as the 'Cats fought to contain a dangerous MSU squad enough to win each segment, or break even. This wasn't pretty basketball, it was a tough, hard-fought, physical contest that saw no less than three technical fouls and two flagrant 1 calls.
But Kentucky, like whatever heroic comeback figure you care to compare them to, just kept coming, kept coming, and kept coming. Darius Miller made threes, lots of threes. Anthony Davis blocked shots. Terrence Jones rebounded and fought a war of attrition in the paint. MKG completely disrupted Dee Bost's career night, and exploited mismatch after mismatch. Everybody made free throws. The result was remorseless in its effectiveness -- the Wildcats emphatically ripped victory from the jaws of defeat, taking out a few teeth in the process.
Superlatives:
Not so superlative.
Overall, this game generally wasn't that great for Kentucky except in one way: These young Wildcats were presented with the opportunity to surrender a game they didn't need against a team playing lights-out who desperately did need it. They just smiled, declined, and then proceeded to convincingly take the victory away from their opponents after spotting a very good home team 13 points after 20 minutes. That, folks, is what they mean by the term, "killer instinct."
Calipari said he wanted to see how the team responded when a team went "nutty" on them. I wonder what he thinks of their solution to that problem?
0 recs | 210 comments
Not that it matters but I think this is incorrect...
MSU was 9-20 from 3 for 45%. They were 11-15 on FT’s for 73%. Might have just got them mixed up. :)
Just a great gut check game for the Cats. As you said, you can’t expect an “A-game” every game. When you can play defense like UK is capable of you always have a chance. In the 2nd half UK’s defense showed up and they finally started making shots. Very impressive.
SevenRings - February 22, 2012
Dammit.
Readthe free throws again. :-)
Glenn Logan - February 22, 2012
Fixed it.
Thanks. I hate it when I do that.
Glenn Logan - February 22, 2012
lol it's ok....i don't usually point it out but i had just got done reading the box score
and thought maybe i read it wrong :)
SevenRings - February 22, 2012
I'm glad you did.
Glenn Logan - February 22, 2012
either nine or 11 is too many for my taste, LOL
Very generally speaking: I’ve thought over the last month or so, it’ll take a team making at least 12 treys to beat UK, unless something really odd happens, like running into a refereeing crew bent on sending the Cats home with a loss, or Davis’ head exploding. Other than that, this team is really impressive on all fronts, and it’ll take a massive effort, with a little luck thrown in, to beat these guys.
Ken Howlett - February 22, 2012
You almost got two out of three
I thought Davis's whole body was going to explode every time that brick wall they call Sidney bodied up to him.kywineman - February 22, 2012
Sidney's a bum. I know it, Stansbury knows it, everybody knows now.
But he’s a very, very big bum who got away with murder tonight a couple of times. At least that’s how my umbiased eye saw it :)
He did scare the crap out of me with that first shot (a long 3). I thought, uh oh, one of those kind of nights, huh? But he ended up playing like he always does, with half-hearted effort (unless things are going well for him).
Speaking of officials, the “T” on Ant was bogus, but I almost laughed myself off the couch after Valentine quickly made up for the bad call with one of his own, one helping UK.
I also thought Jones got hammered early and often, with no calls (akin to last year), and he shrunk from the action until JC lit ’em up at the half.
Ken Howlett - February 22, 2012
Do you realize Sidney made that 3 to start the game, and those were his only points? Non-facter for 22 mins.
UK1972 - February 22, 2012
One Factor
He did set a hell of a screen on that out of bounds play. I saw Teague run into it and bounce back about 3 feet!
Bluegilla - February 22, 2012
Our own little Kobiyashi Maru?
Obviously the Cats don’t believe in the “no-win” scenario……
I watched an 85 yr old man giggle tonight……he giggled…..for 10 minutes……
Greg Alan Edwards - February 22, 2012
Heh.
It was great.
Glenn Logan - February 22, 2012
game
Was awesome. I loved it when Calipari said they needed to play ball instead of complaining about refs. Darius Miller lead tonight. If anything by example. I think those three free throws tonight helped a lot. He looked cool and calm. That pans out to the team. A lot of comparison has been made about the 2010 team. 2010 did not have the leadership of Darius Miller. I love my Patrick Patterson. I love he came back and didn’t have too. There is just something about Darius Miller though that makes him a better leader on the court. Maybe it’s that he isn’t a future NBA star and just plays the game. He never seems rattled. Maybe he is a Kentucky boy that totally gets what this season means. Just cannot pinpoint it but when Miller is out there the guys seem to respond. Calipari has to get him in earlier then he did though. MKG IMPRESSED me tonight. Just manhandled his opponents. I also want to say that I have seen very little fight in them lately. Tonight I saw fight. Most teams lose this game. I mean I wouldn’t have been upset if they had. It’s no real consequence of they did. They go down to number two if Syracuse wins against UCONN. I don’t think overall seed is going to happen unless Cuse loses again. But they took pride. They took the game back. That my friends is a mark of a.champion.
tenken - February 22, 2012 via mobile
Miller came in fairly early
and really didn’t play all that well in the first half. I think Cal knows exactly when to get him in the game.
kywineman - February 22, 2012
i missed the first three minutes
I saw him go in around the six minute mark
. Is that not right?
tenken - February 22, 2012 via mobile
oh
And none of them did. :)
tenken - February 22, 2012 via mobile
The game was awesome.
Blowouts are easier on us, but last night we saw they can be down and bring it home. Great win guys!
a2d2 - February 22, 2012
22 more points in the second half
Wow. That second half is the Wildcat team I have come to know and love. MKG’s defense on Bost was superlative. Bost only got one field goal in the second half (a three) and two technical foul shots. In my dreams, I never want to have to play against MKG, only with him.
Miller was huge. He played an outstanding second half, hitting the threes and free throws we needed when we needed them. Teague hit his shots in the first half, but lost his head on the technical, as you indicated.
Jones? I was thoroughly disgusted with him in the first half. He threw bad passes, and he of all left his game in the locker room to start the game. In the second half, he was a beast. On one play in particular, his post defense on Moultrie was the best I have ever seen. He moved his feet, and just simply denied Bost the chance to throw it in.
Wow.
jdogblue - February 22, 2012
I know exactly which play you mean.
I was in awe. Whenever a player becomes that energetic on defense, the ref looks for any excuse to blow the whistle, usually when the pass is made. But Jones never gave Bost or the ref a chance. He played it clean. It was a thing of beauty.
Wheatgerm - February 22, 2012
Think I also remember that play
A combination of MKG’s great denial of the pass and Jones’ superlative post defense on Moultrie. It was a thing of beauty.
Acdixon - February 22, 2012
That was the one.
jdogblue - February 22, 2012
Great read. If those 2 idiots in the ap poll don’t get it after that they never will
Ukblockparty - February 22, 2012 via mobile
They won't
They are Syracuse die hards, my guess is.
Glenn Logan - February 22, 2012
Someone pointed out they are from the west coast
and might have an axe to grind over TJ coming here over Washington.
kywineman - February 22, 2012
One is from Idaho Statesman and the other from the Daily Herald in Washington
I don’t think it is totally unreasonable for someone to put Syracuse at #1. Their only loss is on the road without Fab Melo. I do think UK is better though.
SevenRings - February 22, 2012
Not unreasonable?
After seeing both teams, yes, it is unreasonable. Says me, anyway. :-)
Glenn Logan - February 22, 2012
Agreed
They have had more close games than we have. Especially that WVU game that game down to a horrible call
Kygirl2000 - February 22, 2012
Big Least
Has anyone given serious consideration to the fact, IMO, that the Big East is mediocre, at best this year. Name three solid teams. The Cuse, Louisville, and maybe Marquette or Georgetown, I suppose. But we beat the Cards, and both LSU and Vandy beat Marquette. UConn, Providence?? Really?? I know there is no transitive law in college basketball, but the eye test tells me that Syracuse is at the top of a heap of . . . you name the substance. The Cuse plays all its early season games in The Carrier Dome against cupcakes.
Jiust another example of the Atlantic seaboard press and its biases.
Big Blue Daddy - February 22, 2012
I agree but we played a WHOOOOLE lot of early games at home too. Still don’t like Syracuse though. LOL
bigboyblue - February 23, 2012
I love being hated
Ukblockparty - February 22, 2012 via mobile
Then you will love John Saunders of ESPN.
He said something to the effect of despite a close call at Miss. St., UK will still be a #1 seed.
kywineman - February 22, 2012
i
Heard that!!! Ugh! I mean really? We would have to lose three more games to even sniff at number two seed. Probably four with Mizzou going down.
tenken - February 22, 2012 via mobile
I have always liked Saunders
but that’s the dumbest thing I’ve heard in a while. As tenken writes, UK would have to lose a regular season game, and then in the SECT to even be considered a #2 seed instead of a #1.
The Cats just beat a pretty darn good opponent, on the road, in a very tough environment. Yeah, it’s logical to now consider them less of a team than before the game.
Ken Howlett - February 22, 2012
I'll go a little further than that,
we would have to lose to Georgia on senior day and then early in the SEC. Other teams are being considered as one seeds and they have 4 or 5 losses.
kywineman - February 22, 2012
I agree
It is rather telling that other than UK and ’Cuse, everyone else in the top 10 has at least four losses, several with five.
Ken Howlett - February 22, 2012
gives us the #4, again
MNBlue - February 22, 2012
Totally agree
This team is so good the seed won’t matter.
KDH2011 - February 22, 2012
Levy
On Sportcenter, it was Steve Levy who said it. My mouth just dropped. Duke is in with four losses?
Big Blue Daddy - February 22, 2012
The bias in favor of “The Duck of Dixie” IS becoming ludicrous.
bigboyblue - February 23, 2012
I think that even though our performance wasn't great,
especially the first half, this was indeed a great game for UK. It was exactly what Coach Cal has been calling for.
Miss St played insanely for 20 minutes and Dee Bost went “nutty” on us. We trailed at the half by double digits and looked totally out of sorts.
Then this team reached down inside and found their guts and went out and took the game back. There will be moments like this in the tournament, against even better teams, but these guys will know they can do it. This was not a step back tonight, this was a huge leap forward.
kywineman - February 22, 2012
Yes this was a great win. miller and Kidd are grown men! And miller is ready to lead this team into any battle they face.
Ukblockparty - February 22, 2012 via mobile
No more nutty
Coach Cal used that phrase and since then we’ve had some pretty close games. I’m all wired up and can’t get a good night sleep because the other team went “nutty” on us.
Viks - February 22, 2012
Heh.
Well, it’s hard to sustain nutty.
But close games at this time of year are probably more valuable than blowouts.
Glenn Logan - February 22, 2012
Absolutely. I hope we have three or four more challenges before the NCAA.
kywineman - February 22, 2012
i think your
Wish will be granted
tenken - February 22, 2012 via mobile
I do hope the outcome will be the same. :-)
kywineman - February 22, 2012
me
Too!!! :)
tenken - February 22, 2012 via mobile
probably
be more like 1 or 2. I don’t expect too much from Georgia, probably see Florida in the SEC finals, again.
MNBlue - February 22, 2012
I'll Take All the Nutty I Can Get
In the regular season, because the basketball karma gods will return the favor in the form of a clicking on all-cylinders tourney, right?
Right?
…well I can dream.
UKFanStuckInDC - February 22, 2012
I say bring nutty too.
Last night was really good for the team. Really good.
a2d2 - February 22, 2012
A New Phrase
Instead of RPI or won-lost records we’ll have to check a teams “Nutability Factor”!
Bluegilla - February 22, 2012
Marquis Teague is good at checking the opposing team's nuts. . .
NYCCats - February 22, 2012
It's probably long past due to let that go.
kywineman - February 22, 2012
Bada Bing!
Bluegilla - February 22, 2012
You know what I find Unbelievable
That Glenn didn’t touch on the HORRIBLE referee job in Starkville tonight. It was as if Kentucky was playing against 8 players 3 in alternate uniforms, I mean really State was getting every call.
OvaDwayneBowe - February 22, 2012
i disagree....
Imo, both teams could complain abt the refs. I thought there were several times the refs let them play when UK mugged state as they were shooting. I also think UK got a make up call right after ad had a technical called.
memphis wildcat - February 22, 2012 via mobile
officials were bad
but it went both ways. Some of the slo-mo replays looked liked street crime muggings – by both teams.
MNBlue - February 22, 2012
same here
The play that led to Moultrie’s technical was a terrible non-call. The T was obviously warranted, but that was a big sequence.
doldham - February 22, 2012
Exactly
We were in the double bonus while we only had like 4 fouls in the second half
Poor officiating all around, hard contact was allowed soft contact wasn’t, Ts for silly things that most of the time is overlooked, just didnt understand it.
StLHugo - February 22, 2012
I often don't understand it, but it was real bad in Starkville
sweasyf - February 22, 2012
Well ...
… I rarely complain about officiating, usually only when the game outcome was influenced by a poor call. I thought both teams got the benefit of some very bad calls, and considering the crew, that should not surprise anyone.
Glenn Logan - February 22, 2012
Davis was treated like a pinball.
On one play, fighting for a rebound heading to the far corner, Sidney and Moultrie (I think) bounced Davis back and forth so hard, they should have been called for a “tilt.”
Wheatgerm - February 22, 2012
I always wonder who selects the ref's.
It’s hard to believe we don’t have competent ref’s to officiate SEC tourney games.
Viks - February 22, 2012
I just watched a replay on ESPN3 and the officiating was atrocious. It left a ton to be desired on both ends of the court. The officials allowed MSU to get away with all sorts of non calls in the first half and it only made the ’Dogs more aggressive.
Then when the calls started becoming more even, it threw MSU into a state of shock. Some of the makeups were ridiculously obvious. I thought the goofiest foul of the game was that T on AD for hanging? on the rim.
Dykes must have commented at least 3-4 times about it being the correct call. It did look like it…..in the replay which of course is slow motion. But then with Dykes you must consider the source.
bigboyblue - February 22, 2012
really uneven
but that tech was ridiculous. a MSU player had his hand on AD’s back, for one. So he felt contact. Plus it was a hi-speed runout fast break, so who knows how many people were on his tail and could possible undercut him. And three, Ad seems to be a magnet for abuse. And he didn’t even hang on the rim that long.
cat stevie - February 22, 2012
The T was a bad call.
The other officials knew it and made a quick make up call.
big-cuz fan - February 22, 2012
courtesy of Ted Valentine
I thought Valentine and Bert Smith (the two african-americans) called a credible game, but I believe it was Doug Shows … he was just GAWD AWFUL.
Ken Howlett - February 22, 2012
Referees
Whenever a ref’s name is mentioned several times in a broadcast then usually you have poor officiating. When they blend into the woodwork and are simply part of the background, letting the game flow naturally then you have good officials. I heard Doug Shows name mentioned on several occassions last night as I have in every game he has been on TV this year. Don’t like him, don’t think he’s a good ref and suspect that he doesn’t particularly like UK or Calipari. Just MHO.
Bluegilla - February 22, 2012
Same goes for the announcers.
At the end of the game you shouldn’t have noticed they were there.
hoboat33 - February 22, 2012
Absolutely right, Ken. My opinion exactly.
bigboyblue - February 23, 2012
thought it was bad too...
A player can hang on the rim to protect himself or another player if there is someone underneath him. You could tell by how far he swung under the rim that his momentum would have caused him to possibly fall on his back. Can they not protect themselves in that situation?
I thought they missed a bunch of pushes in AD’s back that causes him to miss rebounds. Particularly when State got a outback slam.
lostsole - February 22, 2012 via mobile
He wasnt even allowed to get his feet under himself before he let go.....and that was all he was trying to do, get his feet back underneath himself
stupid, stupid call….
Greg Alan Edwards - February 22, 2012
And we all know there is no showboating in AD at all. Shows has worked our games before and should know that.
UK1972 - February 22, 2012
Yeah
Sportscenter pissed me off this morning saying that Davis got T’d for “Celebrating his dunk by hanging on the rim”. Guys on there are clueless sometimes.
cthom - February 22, 2012
I may get into trouble here, but I think the T
Was not for “hanging on” the rim, but for doing the pull-up on the rim, which clearly Davis did. That’s not protecting yourself, that’s showboating. The call didn’t bother me much.
BCinVA - February 22, 2012
I believe that the pull up motion
was to stop the pendulum effect and allow his feet to get back under him. I have watched this kid all year and have never seen him “showboat”, ever!!
kywineman - February 22, 2012
Me neither until last night.
I had seen that very same action called a T in another game last week, maybe the Murray-St. Mary’s game.
I thought initially the call was unnecessary, but the replay convinced me. I understand others don’t see it the same way. Seemed out of character for Anthony.
BCinVA - February 22, 2012
You are only watching the replay of the dunk.
The play goes further back than that. Just as Anthony picks up his dribble he is shoved in the back by the Miss. St. player. Show was behind the play and did not call the foul. It seems when reviewing the play that Anthony is thrown a little off stride and I believe that having felt the contact from the trailing player he assumed that he would be right under the basket with him. It was an unfortunate call by a referee who missed the correct call initially.
kywineman - February 23, 2012
Agree. When ESPN showed that replay to prove that he hung on the rim too long, was as biased as one can get. Replays are to determine a tie ball, a foul, basket interference, goaltending, etc.
Replays are in slow motion. Dykes knows that. To compare a replay with real time in order to prove hanging on the rim, is gross stupidity. And in the case of Dykes, gross bias.
bigboyblue - February 23, 2012
kywmn
Correct. IMO.
bigboyblue - February 23, 2012
BCinVA
Wrong. IMO.
bigboyblue - February 23, 2012
This is factually incorrect....
(in reference to the technical)
You can go watch the highlights on ESPN (or anywhere else) and see that he never touched Davis.
SevenRings - February 22, 2012
I think AD anticipated that he would be undercut.
I am glad he didn’t take any chances, they had been beating him up all game.
kywineman - February 22, 2012
I disagree, I saw a replay from behind Davis
and a player DEFINITELY had his hand on AD’s back. Not while he was in the air, but right before he leaped. You can split hairs but if I’m getting ready to jump, feel a hand in my back, I’m gonna hang on that rim until i can tell what’s coming at me!
cat stevie - February 22, 2012
Sorry, 7, but my DVR disagrees.
Just watched it. Lewis, No. 30, pushed Davis in the low back as he picked up his dribble. He didn’t have his hand on Davis’ back as Davis hung on the rim, but he did push Davis just before the dunk. And no call!
Wheatgerm - February 22, 2012
Agree. Watched the replay and it is just as you described it.
kywineman - February 23, 2012
WOWOWEEEEE!!!!
I don’t mind tellin’ ya I was a little worried at the half. No, really! But, as Glenn alluded to, it’s not the score at the end of the 1st half that counts, it’s the score at the end of the 2nd half. A nice comeback road win against a tuff team.
bigbill992001 - February 22, 2012
Only 5-12 Games Left
The win clinched at least an SEC regular season first place tie. If my math is correct, UK has won or shared the SEC championship 57% of the time.
Regarding officiating: I think the early no-call on the Jones/Sidney collision set the tone. The game wasn’t an 8 on 5 or a 7 on 6 situation, but there was a lack of control to the game. The trip of Davis and the late push out of bounds both came after the tightening whistle immediately following the Davis technical. This to me shows a lack of control and preventative refereeing. I’m still unsure why they felt the need to call things so tightly after that technical, as Davis wasn’t violent or taunting. Then again, I don’t see the need for the technical in the first place, but Missouri fans would tell us to stand in line at that complaint department.
All in all, I just want to savor every moment of this team. It is hard to imagine that a team more talented, skilled, hard-working, uniquely gifted, fun-loving, and cohesive coming around any time soon. In my very biased oppinion, this team and this coach deserves a national championship, and an SEC one, and an SEC tournament one, and Olympic gold medal. OK, maybe not the last one.
GoLightning - February 22, 2012
Got my wish
team got hit early, fought back,and came out with a win.
Zoso- - February 22, 2012
Whew!
I feared this might be a trap game, and it was.
But W anyway is better than L.
FortyYearCatFan - February 22, 2012
Yeah, it did have that feel.
Glenn Logan - February 22, 2012
Heart and Grit
That’s what I saw last night. It’s hard to win on the road but win after being down 13 at the half? That seldom happens. Putting MKG on Bost was the key to the win IMO. Glad this team got over “The Hump”. I really hate that place.
maysvilleblue - February 22, 2012
When we play D like we did in the 2nd half...
We’re a scary team… MKG was in beast mode in second half…
big-cuz fan - February 22, 2012
You can say that again
jdogblue - February 22, 2012
When we play D like we did in the 2nd half… We’re a scary team… MKG was in beast mode in second half…
big-cuz fan - February 22, 2012
Har har
UKCat - February 22, 2012
MKG was in beast mode in second half…
bigboyblue - February 23, 2012
Credit to Coach Cal for pressing the correct buttons.
I haven’t re-watched the game yet, but it seemed obvious to me that we were making great strides with Lamb at the point in the second half. I love that Coach saw it and went with it. We often talk about recognizing someone with a “hot hand”, but Coach recognized the hot combination.
bob in bg - February 22, 2012 via Android app
Agree
Second half coaching was a thing of beauty especially the MKG switch on Bost and leaving Lamb in to run the point.
Teague reverted last night. He lost his mind and went back to being a freshman trying to outscore MSU by himself and getting the technical. I can’t understand AD shooting all those outside shots last night in the first half? I know he has a good stroke but until he proves he can make most of those what a waste of “tallness”.
I wish Lamb would care as much about his defense as he does his goggles. Most of the 3s MSU were making seemed to be him losing his man in trying to help. Like in football, stay in your lanes. The cutback is what kills you.
Bluegilla - February 22, 2012
Why didn't Cal switch MKG onto Bost in the first?
Did he really need 20 minutes to figure out who was killing us?
Wheatgerm - February 22, 2012
He had MKG on Moultrie, switching off at times......
Teague just was not playing D last night…..I have no idea why, but he is usually a capable defender, and to take Bost off his game, usually all you need to do is crowd him at the 3 point line….something Teague was failing to do…..and Lamb…..and Miller….something with MKG just snapped in the second half, and he put Bost in his place…..lol
Greg Alan Edwards - February 22, 2012
yes he did
and Bost was none too happy about it, hence that shove there at the end. Dude had such a good game and was generally respected by me until that point. Now, that’s all I remember about him. That shove.
BigSkyCat - February 22, 2012
just for clarification
shoving MKG out of bounds on the foul is what I meant.
BigSkyCat - February 22, 2012
Oh, I KNOW what you meant....lol
I wanted them to put him in traction for it…..lol
Greg Alan Edwards - February 22, 2012
Bost should have been tossed for that.....
the very definition of Flagrant……if he had been playing anywhere but us, and not getting his backside handed to him, he would have been
Greg Alan Edwards - February 22, 2012
Did you hear the announcer say
that Bost went over to help MKG up after the play? Bost did no such thing. He just kept walking away in disgust.
It wasn’t excessive, just a little push. The refs made the right call (but not immediately).
Wheatgerm - February 22, 2012
Yeah, but he fouled him before he shoved him too.....
and THAT was never called either……
He played that out like a punk after he got shut down……personified his Coach to the bitter end.
Greg Alan Edwards - February 22, 2012
My wife noticed that as well
She said, “I didn’t see him help him up. I think Lamb did.”
Acdixon - February 22, 2012
Bost Didn't...
help him up. I replayed it at the time to make sure, cos I didn’t see it. One announcer said that & the other agreed.
lostsole - February 22, 2012 via mobile
I lost him there too.
a2d2 - February 22, 2012
Teague
Seemed like Teague got caught up in a mano-a-mano thing last night between point guards. He took more shots than usual, tried to drive to the basket usually into traffic just to try and show that he could play, or score, as well as Bost. His ego got in the way of his job, which is we all know get people in position to be successful and then get them the ball. Last night he failed in that option, hence we fall behind 13 and Lamb is running the team most of the second half.
Bluegilla - February 22, 2012
You will not convince me
that Cal wasn’t pleased with the opportunity that half time deficit presented. He’s been talking about “going nutty” and Miss. St. did. He got the test he wanted. He found out (or verified) that Teague needs a lot of work defensively as well as Lamb. Major changes in game plan are usually made at half time and this game was no exception. There is no way to prepare a team for this situation except to experience it. This team moved forward last night in a big way.
kywineman - February 22, 2012
I am just impressed with the way this team adjusts.
To anything……Calipari took the fall for the loss in Indiana, claiming he didn’t handle it properly, and maybe he was telling the truth and not just deflecting, but with the exception of that miscue, they have adjusted to everything that has been thrown at them.
I got mad last night because they just looked like there was no sense of urgency whatsoever on their faces when they were down big time…..but they just laced em back up, stepped off the platform and went to work…..just like it was any other day at the office……you have to admire that.
No Fear.
Greg Alan Edwards - February 22, 2012
Greg, they are the coolest kids in the joint.
Cal has orchestrated this season like a meistro… Bost gose crazy, stick the Michael “the Tazmanian Devel” on him. Need some offense challenge and send in Darius “the Ripper” Miller. Need some muscle send in Terrance the Hulk" Jones. Need a trapeze artist send in Anthony “the Flying Walenda” Davis for a highwire dunk.
Wow, do i love this team…
big-cuz fan - February 22, 2012
yeah, I know.....13 point spread does something to a guy.....he gets all crazy....loses his mind......lol
Greg Alan Edwards - February 22, 2012
This game should be the answer to a trivia question:
What do you get when you combine sad officiating with amazing talent?
Greg Alan Edwards - February 22, 2012
Replay on ESPNU right now
Greg Alan Edwards - February 22, 2012
Miller is about to shoot his FT's
I wonder what happens this time?
Greg Alan Edwards - February 22, 2012
Hey Stansbury, U Mad Bro?
btcoop71 - February 22, 2012
Also, do not give Thayer Evans of FoxSports the page views with what he wrote after this game
Don’t feed the troll.
btcoop71 - February 22, 2012
I got something to feed him......lol
Greg Alan Edwards - February 22, 2012
Complete "Hey look at me" page hit piece
btcoop71 - February 22, 2012
at least now I know why Fox Sports sucks at NCAA BBall coverage
Greg Alan Edwards - February 22, 2012
summary?
Can you touch on some of the low points of the article, so I don’t have to go over there?
doldham - February 22, 2012
He basically said all Calipari teams choke, so UK doesn't have a chance to win the title
Also, some other nonsense….
btcoop71 - February 22, 2012
add him to the list for after the season
Greg Alan Edwards - February 22, 2012
Watched The Experts on ESPN yesterday.
Joe Lunardi noted that for five years now, no #1 team has played in the finals, and only one has made it to the Final Four. If Cal’s teams choke, he has very good company indeed.
Wheatgerm - February 22, 2012
I got halfway through the article and closed it, it was a complete cheap shot
All for attention.
btcoop71 - February 22, 2012
This team transcends #1......I don't care, people can say all they want about anyone beating anyone,
but this team is going to take it all…….
I said it before and I will say it again….
This team’s storyline tag: Two Points From Perfection……The 2011-2012 Kentucky Wildcats
Greg Alan Edwards - February 22, 2012
But for a foul not taken.
Wheatgerm - February 22, 2012
a foul not called
BeachBubbaTex - February 22, 2012
If IU is the only loss, Bob Knight will be grinning somewhere.
UK1972 - February 22, 2012
I hope he has to sit front row and watch us win the whole thing......
they should make it a part of forced retirement for him…..
Have to go home, sit in his recliner, and watch UK Basketball for the rest of his life…..
Greg Alan Edwards - February 22, 2012
And Wear A Blue Sweater!
Bluegilla - February 22, 2012
I wouldn't care what he did in retirement, if he would just go away.
btw, we only go to Starkville every other year. :)
bob in bg - February 22, 2012
I realized that right after I put it on there......then kicked myself abruptly.....
I meant to say I was glad we only played them once a year…..but oh well
Greg Alan Edwards - February 22, 2012
Felt sorry for them did you?
One post and from a UK fan. I’m still dumbfounded.
Bluegilla - February 22, 2012
They really do some quality work and it basically goes unnoticed....
Greg Alan Edwards - February 22, 2012
I would think that would be his version
of Hell.
kywineman - February 22, 2012
Considering he could give the Devil a run for his money.....it seems to fit......
Greg Alan Edwards - February 22, 2012
You may be right.
Knights so bad, hell won’t take him!
kywineman - February 22, 2012
They are afraid he will take over......
Greg Alan Edwards - February 22, 2012
I'm reminded of the joke about a basketball player who died and went to heaven.
He asked who the guy was walking around with a red sweater. St. Peter said, “That’s God, but he thinks he’s Bobby Knight.”
UKCat - February 22, 2012
He never grins, he grimaces
BCinVA - February 22, 2012
thanks
John Clay had an excerpt from him, so I just a read a bit of that garbage.
I would at least be understanding of somebody who said Cal’s teams have underperformed in the final four. But you can’t make the argument that a team/coach is a choke artist the day after a team overcomes a 15 point deficit on the road in conference against a team of State’s caliber.
doldham - February 22, 2012
He's just after page views
The quickest way to get them is to rile up the BBN
btcoop71 - February 22, 2012
Wiltjer's Injury
Did Cal say anything about KW’s knee in his postgame show? Don’t forget we won without his outside shooting as well last night.
Bluegilla - February 22, 2012
That is another point......
We did this with Wiltjer sitting on the bench, Teague having his worst game since November, and the referees using us as an experiment in ignorance.
Greg Alan Edwards - February 22, 2012
GAE
Har! Har! Great. LOL
bigboyblue - February 23, 2012
Parrish had a nice observation over at CBSSports.com:
“They don’t get rattled and they don’t look young.” No, they don’t look young. Remember than next time you hear the inexperience argument. If inexperience loses games, this was the one to lose. But they won, and they won going away.
Wheatgerm - February 22, 2012
Agree
That this team may be special in that regard but my point is this game had all the feel of a second or third round game in the tournament. In order to win it all you need to win a game along the line that you very well should have or could have lost but didn’t. I just think the experience of feeling that every posession was critical can only benefit some of these players, like Wiltjer when we get to the big dance.
Bluegilla - February 22, 2012
Also all post conference games will be on neutral floors=advantage UK fans.
UK1972 - February 22, 2012
One More Thought
I sure wish KW could have played in that game last night just to feel the environment and get the experience of a big time fight to the bitter end kind of tournament feel to it. Pressure can make cowards of us all but the more you experience it the better we become at handling it. I know. I offer my putting on 3 footers with the press on as an example.
Bluegilla - February 22, 2012
Miller
When everything else seems to be going wrong, Miller just seems to get it right and get us back into it. I’ve loved the guy since he came here, and every one of these games is making me realize how much I’m going to miss him when he graduates. We need to send him out with a banner to hang.
Acdixon - February 22, 2012
I wanted his head on a platter after that first half.....missing blockouts, not playing his man tight on defense.....
then he just made it all disappear in a cloud of threes……lol…..
Greg Alan Edwards - February 22, 2012
You Know What They Say
Hate and love are just two sides of the same coin. Hoever that applies to your comment. I’ve just been wanting to get that in for quite some time now! There I did it.
Bluegilla - February 22, 2012
also as in my sign-off by RWE...
loved the guts and strength in this game…big time stuff, guys!!!
KYCatwoman - February 22, 2012
Very Enjoyable Game
Always thought the Cats would come back and win, but around 7 minutes left a little doubt crept in. My thoughts:
Why did this team come out so soft? Guess you have to experience it to learn, but by now one would think they would know.
IMO the first half got away because of rushed shots and soft put backs. Cal sure nailed that at the time out interview. AND HE LOOKED HAPPY.
Teague was terrible. And once again, Coach didn’t seem that unhappy about it.
Sometimes I wonder if DM and Coach have some super secret agreement where DM will play without purpose until the younger players pick it up or DM is needed to save the day. The DM of the second half was not even from the same planet as the DM of the first.
That Tech on Davis was really strange. To me it seemed that the other two officials immediately went about giving make ups.
darkandbloody@gmail.com - February 22, 2012
Cal has talked about freshmen taking a game to go back and try it the way they did it in high school. Teague tried last night, and got some bench time .
UK1972 - February 22, 2012
For Whom The Cowbell Tolls
Just visited the MSU fan site, as I usually do after a game and was struck by the fact that there are exactly ZERO comments about the game last night. I was so excited that I had trouble getting to sleep last night and got up early this morning to see what everyone thought about last night and to add my two cents worth. Coach is absolutely correct when he talks about the Kentucky Effect. MSU played a great game last night and almost beat the Number One Team in the country and NO ONE wants to chat about it!!!!!! Unbelievable to me.
Bluegilla - February 22, 2012
UK is King in the SEC
That’s why that place was full last night. Of course that is usually the case when the Cat’s come a callin’. Maybe they would be talking about it today had they won but not for much longer. Just how it is in the football crazed SEC.
maysvilleblue - February 22, 2012
disappointing
I was impressed by the crowd turnout. I enjoyed hearing “Go Big Blue” at some of our road routs earlier this season. That being said, if you want to be the best team in the country you have to play in hostile environments. As long as it’s not a situation like Assembly Hall this year I want the other team’s fans to be into the game.
doldham - February 22, 2012
MSU fans were into the game...
except for the last 2 mins or so when they were in total shock of what they were seeing.
maysvilleblue - February 22, 2012
Love the game ball awards...
MKG was just amazing on Bost and when we needed it most, he kicked in a lot of points. And those “Miller time!” threes down the stretch…
Dan Harris - February 22, 2012
Don't Forget
He also hit 3 free throws after getting fouled.
Bluegilla - February 22, 2012
yeah, someone pointed out last night that Miller had
3 3’s, 3-3 FT, 3 asst, 3steals, and 3 something else…..lol
Greg Alan Edwards - February 22, 2012
Three co-eds for a party afterwards?
kywineman - February 22, 2012
If it gets him to play the way he did in the second half.....get him an even dozen......lol
Greg Alan Edwards - February 22, 2012
jealous?
; )
BigSkyCat - February 22, 2012
You bet!
kywineman - February 22, 2012
Two thoughts
1. Rodney Hood’s injury was huge. Take that out and add Teague’s off night (who would have stayed on Bost rather than MKG; freed up by Hood’s injury) and I’m not sure the comeback would have been so easy.
2. Those treys by Ant had to be something that Cal put in for this game. Draw the bigs out to the perimeter, etc. etc. I guess if AD made one or two early it would have helped, but I’m not sure that we need our offense going nutty at this stage.
Like everyone here, I was really impressed by this win. They had every reason to pack it in but responded like a champion. I’m not sure I can like the squad more than I do, but this game (and the one at Memorial) reveals an iron-core will that makes them special.
BeachBubbaTex - February 22, 2012
Hood's injury was huge,
But no more so than Wiltjer’s…..had we of had three or four 3’s from him, different story also
Greg Alan Edwards - February 22, 2012
very true
Plus Wilt’s injury happened early in the first when we were looking to change the dynamics of the game.
BeachBubbaTex - February 22, 2012
A.D.'s threes
Didn’t Cal give him the green light after he made a bunch in practice last week? Personally I don’t care how many he can make unguarded. He needs to be in the paint.
doldham - February 22, 2012
Yes, that's right.
He made 49 in 5 minutes, I believe, which was enough to get Cal’s blessing. Of course, I’d rather seem him take those when his team has a nice lead. You know, the right shot in the right situation.
Wheatgerm - February 22, 2012
If you want to see...
….one of the funniest gifs I’ve ever seen, look at what I posted on EDSBS (a little too PG-13 for here, but it is safe for work)
btcoop71 - February 22, 2012
ok....that was.....disturbing......how old is that kid???
Greg Alan Edwards - February 22, 2012
Credit to the big men
With Wiltjer out, UK’s big guys played nearly the entire 2nd half (maybe the did play the entire half). In that kind of physical game, that’s a tremendous accomplishment. Also, Lamb running the point so well is tremendously heartening.
That was a wild game.
KDH2011 - February 22, 2012
Conditioning
Uk won this game in part by being in better condition than MSU.
I have to say I thought the refs were awful. It wasn’t both ways either. The mugging that Jones and Davis received was over the top. Right after Moultry’s flagrant he so pushed off for a rebound. MSU used that move many times. And the TO on Davis was ridiculous. No way did the next call make of for that. Of course the lack of foul calling always benefits the fat, slow, less-talented kid. Fouling is his go to move.
I was so proud of this team for fighting through adversity. I was never worried. Maybe because, in the end, this game wasn’t all that important. A “W” feels great though!
Nice write up too, Glenn.
LyricSmith - February 22, 2012 via mobile
I think that in the end,
this game may be more important than you think. It isn’t all about W’s and L’s, it is about how you get there and what you learn from it. Last night’s actual experience was worth more than a month’s worth of practices.
kywineman - February 22, 2012
Completely agree
I doubt this team will fear a double-digit deficit ever again
BeachBubbaTex - February 22, 2012
Agree The Experience Was Important
But, like Cal keeps saying, losing now doesn’t knock you out of a championship. In my own words, we could have lost this game and still won the SEC, the SEC Tournament, and the NCAA. We wouldn’t have lost a #1 Seed in either Tourney either. The L itself wouldn’t have had any long term ramifications.
I am not too concerned about the #1 Overall seed becasue we all know Duke is going to get the easiest bracket even if they are the #4 Overall seed.
But don’t get me wrong, I prefer to see a win. I just wasn’t worried about losing too much. Maybe it wasn’t the importance of the game but maybe just the confidence I have in this team’s ability to get the stops they need to make a comeback. Even on the road.
LyricSmith - February 22, 2012
But we didn’t lose, folks.
bigboyblue - February 23, 2012
Prescient
Haven’t had time to review the game, will do it this afternoon but I have enjoyed all the comments this morning and, as usual, Glenn wraps it up with a bow. I do feel good about my pregame perception: Posted, 1 )that Teague couldn’t handle Bost and MK-G would be the better defender (Calipari admitted that it would have been better to do that early*), and 2) Miller would be key late. Consequence of victory surpasses numbers. More to come.
Wild Weasel - February 22, 2012
Probably so, but I think you have to give Teague the chance to do it.
The kid is trying to play himself into a lottery pick. Cal knows it, he knows it. Cal is all about giving these kids every opportunity to accomplish their dreams. He plays Bost tough all night, scores a dozen or so, maybe gets a double double, and his draft stock shoots up……
Greg Alan Edwards - February 22, 2012
Teague
I really think he has improved a lot this season and if this team wins it all he will play a big,big role. But with that said,after last night,I really like Lamb at the point with Miller at the 2 and MKG,Jones and Davis. That lineup could be the go-to during the tourney.
maysvilleblue - February 22, 2012
Teague
of all people, given that he already has family member in the NBA (brother, right??) and knows what that experience has to offer doesn’t really strike me as one who is clamoring for that and only that. He knows it will be there when he’s ready.
BigSkyCat - February 22, 2012
I didnt mean to imply that he was out there only for that......
just that it is important to him, and as his coach, the same guy who has watched his game come a long way in a short amount of time, I would have probably leaned towards giving him the opportunity to play him before I changed it up is all.
Greg Alan Edwards - February 22, 2012
The second half is the most important half in a ball game.
Many have posted we should have done this or that from the start. Greg said it well in that players have to be given tough assignments so they can learn and develop. As long as we stay in striking distance and make the right adjustments later in the game, we keep moving towards our goal of a championship.
Last night in their respective locker rooms, Miss. St. was being told to keep up the good work and in UK’s room adjustments were being made to come back and win. We are witness to what happened. And they say Coach Cal can’t coach.
kywineman - February 22, 2012
Coaching
It is exactly games like this where big adjustments are made by the coach that Calipari ought to be the leading candidate for National Coach of the Year. The national media as well as the coaching fraternity show such bias when it comes to UK and Coach Cal that it is so transparent as to be laughable. The only coach who is even close to Cal this year might be Tom Izzo and what his team is doing in the Big Ten (12) race. Someone please name me another coach who could take brand new talent, year in and year out, mold them into a cohesive contender for the national championship and ready them consistently for top draft picks in the lottery. NO ONE MY FRIENDS. John Calipari – Coach of the Year hands down.
Bluegilla - February 22, 2012
Tubby always made changes at the half, very successfully.
But you can’t watch somebody burn you for 20 minutes. You risk putting your team in a hole they can’t climb out of. There must have been some point in the first half when Cal thought, “You know, I should switch MKG on Bost, like I thought about doing to start this game. He’s killing us.”
Just curious why he didn’t do it sooner.
Wheatgerm - February 22, 2012
I called home at half time this morning and my 7 yo says
“momma, I hate to tell you this, but Big Blue is losing right now. They’re not listening to the coach and you have to listen to the coach if you want to get better and win, right momma?” I almost fell out of my chair laughing. She emailed me before she went to school this morning and let me know they had won, just in case I didn’t get to see the end. What a sweetheart, I think I’ll keep her!
KYGRLNNM - February 22, 2012
That is one tough assignment......being away from kids......
You have my respect, and my gratitude……
Greg Alan Edwards - February 22, 2012
+1
And it sounds like you’re raising her right. Last night, my 16-month-old learned to fist pump and raise her hands above her head to signal a three by watching Daddy during the second half.
Acdixon - February 22, 2012
My dogs learned
to run into the next room during the first half.
kywineman - February 22, 2012
LOL, we scare our border collie during most games.
KYGRLNNM - February 23, 2012
That's sweet.
Thanks for making me smile.
Wheatgerm - February 22, 2012
Can I adopt her? Not really, but that girl has been taught what it means to be blue.
Good on you KYGRL!
a2d2 - February 22, 2012
I've been giving her the kool aid since her first Kentucky bib.
Just like my dad and Mamaw did me.
KYGRLNNM - February 23, 2012
Fouls
UK 10
MSU 17
UK certainly got the better of that deal but I sure don’t expect anyone here to agree with that. They really let both teams play but I don’t buy it was 8 against 5. If so, the foul calls would have been lopsided in MSU’s favor. They missed a ton of calls both ways. Not sure why everyone keeps saying that they favored MSU all night. UK was in the bonus at the 12 minute mark of the 2nd half. They could have called another 20 fouls on each team but how fun would that have been. Hell, the MSUU fans were booing the refs big time. Usually these things come from your own perspective as UK fan but MSU had just as much to gripe about.
The biggest problem I had was the technical on Davis because (more than anything) he was protecting himself from his own momentum which would have caused him to land on his head or some other awkward type fall. The defender wasn’t really that close but Davis didn’t know that. I have seen many many players (UK too) swing like that so many times before and it’s not called.
SevenRings - February 22, 2012
yeah, and three whistles on MSU later, the referees figured they had made that call up.......
it was so obvious last night it was pathetic……
Would have been so much better if they had just stayed out of things….I know they must control the game, but must they control everything?
Greg Alan Edwards - February 22, 2012
Davis T
that was my thing with the T for hanging on the rim as well. Due to his body length and the fact that he swung plum near all the way around the backboard on the dunk he almost HAD to hang on the rim to ensure that he didn’t land on his head. Really, I understand the hanging on the rim will cause a technical thing, really I do, but in this instance it was for like a split second. It wasn’t a delay in game or anything like that and certainly not a poor sportsman thing.
In the end though, he wasn’t hurt and the technical foul shots didn’t cause us to lose, so I guess all’s well that ends well, but really, there should be some sort of hanging on the rim allowance for a kid simply trying to protect himself from injury.
BigSkyCat - February 22, 2012
Yup, there actually is some leeway for a player to protect himself in that situation by hanging on the rim
I simply feel they misread the whole situation and blew it anyway lol
:)
SevenRings - February 22, 2012
LOL.
Right. Guess that didn’t come out all that well. What I was trying to get across is — an allowance for the allowance that is already in place would be great. How’s that? Too many allowances? : )
BigSkyCat - February 22, 2012
ditto ;-)
SevenRings - February 22, 2012
The refs must have gotten a memo.
In the last week or two, they started calling Ts for hanging on the rim, calls they weren’t making before. I saw one that was clearly warranted, but several others that were not. It was odd.
AD was just trying to stop his momentum, but I understand how the ref could interpret his body motions as showboating.
It should come as no surprise that UK fans would comment on calls that went against their team, and not the calls that went against the opponent. That’s only natural.
Wheatgerm - February 22, 2012
Can't Speak For Everyone
But let’s say that a team actually fouled 40 times and was called for 17 and another team fouled 14 times and was called for 10. The 40 fouls by the first team were very physical in nature and the 14 by the other were not. Numbers are not important but call the level of physicality the same both way. I say that UK fouled going for a steal, block or in an attempt to establish position and MSU clubbed, tripped pushed and shot up hard against the body because they knew that was the only way to compete with superior athletes. LIke Cal says, a foul is a foul call it.
Now, with that said, I do not think the refs conspired against UK. In fact, I applaud them for the call when Miller shot the 3 and was hit on the elbow and also for calling the flagrant fouls when appropriate. I understand the pressure can be difficult. I also totally understand the the T against Teaque but the one on Davis was beyond wrong. He was also pushed in the back. (history that ESPN is choosing to re-write by not playing the whole sequence back.) A small push at full speed just before a leap means a lot.
Of Course, this is just my opinion and I respectfully understand yours as well.
LyricSmith - February 22, 2012
Just Thought of Something
Remember all the charging calls against UK, particularly MKG, this year. Did we get any last night? I know there weren’t many. That my friends is another point in favor of good coaching.
Bluegilla - February 22, 2012
A few years ago, I thought Stansbury might one day be the UK coach.
After hearing him whine and complain, I think Starkville is a perfect fit for him.
UKCat - February 22, 2012
Been to Starkville?
You’d whine, too. ;-)
hoboat33 - February 22, 2012
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